TOP SIRE 2025–2026 NSW FLOCK EWE COMPETITIONS Bryant’s named winners in a tough day of judging Spectators had a tough day choosing the People’s Choice Award at the annual Mid Lachlan Flock Ewe Competition with two flocks tied for the title. Mark, Jude and Charlie Bryant, “Billabourie”, Greenethorpe, and the Rutledge family, Nargong Partnership, “Watervale”, Woodstock, were selected to share the award, with each operation awarded top place for Western and Eastern districts respectively. The competition, encompassing the Cowra district, attracted six entrants for the tour on Friday 31 January. The Bryant’s were named eventual winners overall by judges Emma Northey, Tallimba, and Rick Power, Nutrien, Grenfell, noting their attention to detail and improvement following feedback from past years. They presented a run of Bogo-blood maiden ewes for judging, averaging 18.2-micron and 6.5kg wool cut per head. They join 2400 ewes to Merinos with 31% culled each year, classed by Mal Peake and Austin Grace. Mark said the flock was a “work in progress. You just have to keep working on it.” He continued, “Nutrition is the biggest thing we can control easily. We try to look after them in doing worm egg counts, drenching and things like that.” The Rutledge family were placed second with their Lachlan-blood maiden ewes. They join nearly 2300 ewes to Merinos, averaging 18.6-micron and 6.25kg wool cut. Kaitlyn Rutledge said they were utilising electronic tags to gauge the performance of their flock. “We’re looking at a lot of numbers with the eID tags, including birth status, weight and also their sire. We’re incorporating it all to see how they perform.” In third place was Andrew Naylor and Bronwen Newman with a run of Hazeldean-blood ewes, averaging 17.4-micron and 6.94kg wool cut. Taking home the Encouragement Award was Charlie Dunhill, Boonderoo Partnership, “Boonderoo”, Mandurama, with a run of Pooginook-blood ewes presented for judging. The ewes, which average 18.1-micron and 5.32kg wool cut per head, are the first generation of Pooginook genetics at “Boonderoo”. Mid Lachlan Flock Ewe Competition | Friday 31 January 2025 Photo caption. Charlie Bryant, Mal Peake, Mark Bryant and Austin Grace welcome spectators to view their winning flock at “Billabourie”. Photo: The Land. – 116 –
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